Hawaii's Department of Health: 'National Children’s Mental Health Month serves as a timely reminder'

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May is designated as National Children’s Mental Health Month. | RODNAE Productions/Pexels

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and the Children's Mental Health Acceptance (CMHA) Planning Group recently urged Hawaii residents to advocate for better mental health care and to promote awareness in a Department of Health news release.

This message from the DOH and the CMHA is part of a nationwide effort by the organizers of Children's Mental Health Month.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues among children and the importance of understanding and support.

“The Surgeon General issued an advisory in December 2021 highlighting the youth mental health crisis, which was heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Scott Shimabukuro, acting administrator for the DOH Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division said, according to the DOH news release. “National Children’s Mental Health Month serves as a timely reminder of the importance of moving beyond awareness to acceptance of the challenges individuals and their loved ones experience.”

People are invited to wear the color green to express support for Children's Mental Health Acceptance Month. "Green is the national color of mental health acceptance, representing hope, strength, support, and encouragement for people who suffer from mental illness," according to the DOH news release.

In 2020, approximately 11,000 children in Hawaii reported having at least one severe depressive episode in the prior year. Half of that same group report not receiving any mental health treatment.

"Children and adolescents are more likely to seek help and access resources when accessing mental health resources is destigmatized," the DOH said. "Youth benefit when access to resources is timely and services are family-driven, youth-guided and culturally appropriate."

Anyone in need of mental health support services can call Hawaii CARES for free 24/7 support at 1-800-753-6879 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting ALOHA to 741741.